Chapter 14: Guild Headquarters
The afternoon sun glared down as Samy and Shinra exited the academy center, tired and still processing the day's mess.
They were looking for a taxi when a familiar voice called out from across the street.
"Oi! You two—heading to Guild Headquarters?"
It was Ryken, waving from a guild-assigned carriage. His usual sharp tone carried a hint of relief.
"You're lucky. I was heading there myself. Hop in," Ryken offered.
Inside the carriage, as it rattled toward the Guild HQ, Samy updated Ryken about Shinra's academy situation.
Ryken listened carefully, nodding in thought.
"Hmph, seems like the guilds are shuffling everyone around today.
I'm being transferred to a new village guild too—probably somewhere remote.
Guess we're all floating in the same boat now."
"And Shinra chose Spiral Guild for his academy," Samy added.
"Spiral, huh?"
Ryken chuckled. "That'll be interesting."
—
The Guild Headquarters loomed ahead, less like a building and more like a fortress birthed from stone and mana.
Towering walls wrapped the structure, pulsing with faint enchantments.
The iron gates opened into a vast courtyard, alive with the hum of guild members, carriages, and levitating cargo.
But what struck them most was the light—brilliant and constant.
Sunlight poured into the building, but it cast no shadows. Not from walls, not from people.
"No shadows inside HQ," Ryken explained as they passed beneath the archway.
"They say light cleanses corruption. Funny, right?"
Samy smirked. "Yeah. Hilarious."
Ryken pointed to a spiraling staircase that wrapped around the structure like a serpent.
"Second floor. Overseas Registration. Any door'll do—they're all enchanted."
"Got it. Good luck with your reassignment," Samy said, watching Ryken vanish into the crowd.
—
Three hours later, Samy and Shinra finally reached the registration counter.
After the long, boring wait, their citizenship papers were processed quickly.
"You're registered as official citizens of Elyasia now," the officer said.
Samy leaned on the counter. "What about job placements?"
The officer pointed lazily. "Ground floor, Assignments Desk. Check availability there."
Samy sighed. "Alright. Thanks."
As they walked down, Shinra grumbled, "Another line?"
Samy ruffled his hair. "Welcome to the adult world."
—
Meanwhile, Ryken was escorted into a large hall where the guild's top elites gathered.
Lucas, Vice-Captain of Celestial Aegis, sat at the center table, along with Freyra of Valkyrie Guild, Ryuu of Octagon Guild, the mage Maghael, and Spiral Guild Master Marcus.
Marcus leaned back, cigarette in his mouth, his red-wrapped fists tapping on the table as his eyes scanned Ryken.
"This him?" Marcus asked lazily.
Lucas nodded. "Ryken of Wisdom."
Marcus's lip curled. "Fire, water, wind affinity. Domain user?"
"Yes," Ryken answered firmly.
Marcus stood up, stretching. "Alright. Let's see what you've got."
Lucas sighed. "Marcus, this isn't necessary—"
"I'll handle it lightly," Marcus interrupted with a grin.
—
As Ryken walked toward the match grounds, he spotted Samy and Shinra descending the stairs.
He waved them over.
"You guys finish your registration?" Ryken asked.
"Yeah, but the job assignments are a mess. They told us to wait downstairs,"
Samy replied.
Before they could say more, Marcus approached, his eyes glinting as he noticed Shinra.
"Hmph, nice pet you got there, kid," Marcus said, looking at the dragon on Shinra's shoulder.
"What's your name?"
"Shinra," the boy answered.
"From Wisdom, huh?" Marcus smirked.
"Wanna come see a little match?"
Shinra's eyes sparkled.
"Who's fighting?"
Marcus jabbed his thumb at Ryken.
"Me and this brave man right here."
Samy shot Ryken a questioning glance. Ryken just nodded slowly.
—
The training grounds behind the HQ buzzed with murmurs as Ryken and Marcus faced off. A small crowd gathered, curious to see the commotion.
Marcus cracked his neck.
"Your move, rookie."
Ryken grounded his sword, pulling mana into his limbs. With a burst of speed, he lunged forward, aiming a straight punch at Marcus's jaw.
Marcus, with almost lazy precision, caught Ryken's fist mid-swing.
"Not bad… but you'll need more than that."
With a flick of his wrist, Marcus flipped Ryken over.
Ryken rolled back onto his feet and launched a counterattack, a heavy hook aimed at Marcus. Marcus met it with his own grip.
For a moment, they were locked—pushing against each other in a clash of raw strength.
Then Marcus's aura surged.
The air around them bent with pressure, a suffocating force that made even the onlookers uneasy.
Ryken retaliated, igniting his own mana—flames spiraled into wind, wrapping his frame.
Marcus didn't use brute force.
He slid in, suddenly closing the distance, his fist sweeping upward like a hammer strike.
Ryken blocked, but the impact sent him skidding backward, his boots grinding against the stone floor.
The crowd murmured, the tension rising.
Lucas's voice cut through. "That's enough, Marcus."
Marcus chuckled. "He'll do fine."
Lucas turned to Ryken. "Report to Spiral Guild. You're assigned to Pine Village."
As they left the grounds, Marcus's eyes fell on Shinra again. "I'll be seeing you too, kid."
Shinra, still holding his dragon, just nodded.
—
Ryken's reassignment was complete. But Samy's job application didn't go well. The Assignments Desk was packed, and the officer told them plainly that civilian roles were already full.
"Guess it's not your lucky day," Ryken said. "We'll figure it out . Don't worry."
Samy sighed. "Seems like this day won't end."
The sun was already starting to set. Their long day at Guild HQ was finally over.
Problems weren't solved yet, but at least now there was a path forward, even if it wasn't clear where it would lead.